Most Bangladeshis have no bank accounts: BIBM -The Asian Age

Eighty percent people in Sri Lanka avail banking services while in Bangladesh around 33% people go to banks for financial dealings. Fifty three percent people in India have bank accounts.

Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) has stated a report on the use of banks by the people of different countries. According to BIBM, Bangladesh has not yet reached its desired goal to involve the country's masses with the banking sector.

BIBM unveiled this research at a seminar in the organization's office in the capital's Mirpur on Sunday. The seminar was based on the role of banking sector for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

BIBM's research shows that Bangladesh is lagging behind in paying salaries through bank accounts too. Less than 2% people in Bangladesh get their remunerations through banks, BIBM research has highlighted.

It is more than 7% in Sri Lanka. 31% people in Malaysia get salaries through bank accounts.There are at present 58 banks in Bangladesh which has a population of 16 crore. Nine of these banks are state-run while another nine banks are foreign organizations.

The rest of the banks are owned by private investors. BIBM researches have said that Bangladesh's people have very little affiliations with debit cards, savings and other monetary activities through banks. Most of the people in Bangladesh's urban areas avail banking services while most of the rural people do not have bank accounts according to BIBM.

BIBM officials have said that the country's people should have broader connections with banking activities to facilitate Bangladesh's progress with SDGs.

Bangladesh Bank's Adviser SK Sur Chowdhury referred to several initiatives by the central bank to engage more people with banks including 10 taka bank accounts, agent banking and school banking.

Sonali Bank's former Managing Director SA Chowdhury said, "85% of the bank loans are provided in Dhaka and Chittagong. This is a drawback for attaining the SDG targets. Moreover, banks should have at least 30% women employees."